I walked back towards the group, who were all now sitting on the sand and talking. Lucy and Ted were laughing together. Even Alec had a smile on his face. I could tell he was happy. Even though he was a grump, he’d saved my life. A warm, tingly feeling spread up and down my arms and legs, almost taking my breath away as I walked up to them. Happiness. That’s what I was feeling right now.
I hadn’t realized it, but being here, even if only for a week, had changed something inside of me. I hadn’t felt this much elation in a long time. Discovering a new place, meeting new people, seeing new sights – that’s what life was all about. I was beginning to realize that my globetrotting was not even close to being done. I couldn’t imagine going back to my life in L.A. now that the travel bug had been awakened again. I wanted this, all of this: the mistakes, confusion, new food, new people, new adventures, and new countries. I wanted to pursue my new life here, maybe not specifically in Wales, but somewhere new. I owed it to myself, and, at thirty, who knew when I’d get another chance.
We got back to Parc-Le-Bouveret a couple of hours before dinner. I thanked Alec for helping me, and he gruffly nodded and muttered something about how it was his job. I went inside without talking to anyone, and closed my room door behind me. I just wanted to talk to Harry, and to put everything behind me for good. I quickly looked at the pamphlet with instructions on how to make international calls from my room phone, and sat down on the bed, breathing in and out to calm myself. It was morning for him, and I hoped I would be able to reach him. I picked up the receiver, dialed a bunch of numbers that called the operator, who then connected me to Harry’s cell phone. It rang three times before he picked up.
"Hello?"
"It’s me."
"Charlotte? Where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you all week! I traced your phone through that program you bought a few years ago, and it was in some ditch in Sherman Oaks. Are you OK?"
I sighed. I’d forgotten about that.
"I’m OK. After we talked… I didn’t know what to do. I panicked and, well…"
"Amara said you’re in Europe?"
"Yeah. Swansea, Wales."
"What the hell, Charlotte? What were you thinking?"
"I guess I just wanted to run away. Today I went horseback riding. I’ve never done that."
"You can go horseback riding in L.A."
"Harry… you left me. Why do you care where I am? I thought we were taking some time."
"I know, but you’re still my wife, Charlotte. I deserve to know that you’re OK, at the very least."
"I know. I’m sorry. I just had to find my happiness again, you know?"
"I know."
We sat there silently for a minute, and I didn’t really know what else to say.
"How are you?" I had to know that he was at least handling this as well as I was. Or not, depending on how you looked at my situation. Either I was super cool for trekking off to Europe right after my husband left me, or I was the sad, desperate woman who ran away after my husband left me.
"I’ve been better." He sounded OK. Sad, like me, but OK.
"Yeah. Me too."
"When do you think you’ll be back?"
I thought about this for a second. I hadn’t really planned this very well. I hadn’t gotten a return ticket, and there was more of Europe that I wanted to see while I was here.
"I don’t know."
"Well, when you figure it out, let me know. We need to talk."
"About what? Did you change your mind?"
"No. I haven’t changed my mind."
"OK. Well, I think we’ve said everything that needs to be said, then."
"I still think we should take some time."
"That’s fine. But I’m going to do it here." I knew I sounded like a petulant child, but if he wasn’t changing his mind, I didn’t see why it mattered where we respectively "thought things out".
"Fine, Charlotte." He sighed. "Just keep me updated, OK?"
"I will."
"Bye. Be safe."
He hung up. I sat on the line for a minute before hanging up, and then picked the receiver back up to call Amara. I hoped that she would answer. It rang once.
"Charlotte, is that you?"
I had to give it to her – she was very intuitive.
"Yes. Hi!"
"Thank god, I was worried! Where are you? Harry’s been calling me nonstop."
"I’m OK. I’m in Wales."
"Wales? What the fuck? I thought you were headed to Barcelona or something. Why Wales?"
"It was the first flight out."
"Ah, I see."
"How’s the honeymoon?"
"It’s good! We’re just about to each lunch on the balcony of our villa. Char, if you make it to Portugal, you have to come to Lisbon."
"Lunch? Isn’t it late there too?"
"Yeah," she snickered. "But they eat so late here. Breakfast is around noon, and lunch is at six. You don’t even want to know when they eat dinner. Sam and I are having so much fun."
"I’m so glad. Look… I’m really sorry for being such a burden on your wedding day. I hope you’ll forgive me."
"For what? You didn’t burden anyone! Your marriage fell apart, Charlotte! You’re allowed to check out for a bit. I’m just so glad you were there for part of it. I know how hard that must’ve been. Have you talked to Harry?"
"Yeah. I just called him. He wasn’t too pleased with me running away."
"Don’t call it that. You’re not running away. You’re finding your life, that’s all. It’s very brave of you."
"Thanks, Mar."
"So, what did he say?"
"It’s over. He hasn’t changed his mind."
"Oh."
"It’s OK though. I’m having a lot of fun here."
"In Wales?!"
I laughed, and we continued to talk for another twenty minutes before I realized the time. I’d been on an international call of some sort for almost thirty minutes. I said goodbye to Amara and started the shower.
I felt all grimy from the seawater and my hair was a frizzy mess. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, horrified. I hadn’t really looked at myself in the pub bathroom; I had just been trying to change as quickly as possible. My hair was a wild, curly, knotted mess, and the little bit of makeup I'd been wearing had completely washed off. I’d taken my bra and underwear off in the pub, due to both of them being soaked, and I realized the grey t-shirt I was wearing was slightly see-through from being so worn. I was lucky to have smallish-enough breasts to be able to get away with not wearing a bra, but you could definitely see my nipples through the shirt. I’d hoped the others in the group had been too distracted to notice when we were on the beach.
I took a long, hot shower, letting the water wash the dirt off of me. I conditioned my hair twice, because it needed it, and got out to dry off. I had thirty minutes until dinner started. I quickly dried my hair, changed into the black trousers, a white t-shirt, and my brown booties. I would have to do laundry tomorrow. I decided then and there to go into town and buy a proper coat and maybe a few more shirts. A pair of practical boots wouldn’t hurt either.
I threw half my hair up and put on some earrings: the small, dangly ones I'd been wearing for Amara’s wedding. I put on a little makeup: mascara and lip gloss, but this time I added a hint of eyeliner and blush. I didn’t look half bad for having fallen into the ocean today.
I still had fifteen minutes before dinner started, so I decided to head downstairs to see if anyone was hanging out in the common room. I passed George and Helen at the desk, and waved at them. The Braine family lay side by side next to the lit fire, still reading. I wondered if they ever surfaced to eat or go to the bathroom. None of them looked up when I sat down on the couch. I guessed it was a lost cause. Just as I was about to get up, George came and sat down next to me.
"How are you, Charlotte?"
"Good! I had a lovely horse ride today with Lucy and Ted. What a beautiful area. This week has been lovely so far.
"
"Yeah, it’s pretty nice here. I’m a lucky fella."
We watched the Braines read for a minute or two.
"They never move, do they?" I whispered to George so that the Braines wouldn’t hear me.
"Nope. They’ve been here all week, in the same position." We both laughed.
"So, Charlotte, what really brought you here? I’m just curious. I took some psychology classes a few years ago, and although I don’t consider myself an expert, I have daughters so I know how it is. You remind me of my eldest. I just want to see if there’s anything I can do. I know you didn’t decide to come here because of the scenery."
I smiled. I guessed Tommy, his uncle, had spilled the beans about what I’d told him my first day, about Harry leaving me. I didn’t mind. I knew George meant well. He felt like a father figure to me. I felt comfortable around him.
"Sometimes, life doesn’t turn out like you hoped it would. I’m just trying to find happiness again. You know… that pure, exuberant happiness that makes your eyes vibrate because you’re so happy. And the women at the KLM airlines kiosk at Los Angeles airport told me that the very next flight out to Europe was to Swansea. I needed to get away. So, here I am.”
"Ahh, I see. And then my uncle Thomas picked you up."
"Yep. So far, I’ve been successful at being happy here. Today was the first time in a long time where I have felt happy, and like myself again."
"That’s good to hear. We aim to please," he smiled. "So, you work in public relations?"
"Yeah, back home. But I’m pretty sure I lost my job. I didn’t quite give them a real warning that I was leaving. Things happened so quickly. I didn’t even have a chance to go home." A small wave of sadness rippled through me as I thought of the house I owned with Harry. I’d put a lot of work into it and yet, I now realized, it had never really felt like home.
"Well, we don’t often do this for complete strangers, but Helen and I were talking today. We know about your… circumstances. If you need some extra money, and free room and board, we’d love to hire you for some part-time work. We’re going to buy our first computer soon, and we need someone who is good with that kind of stuff. You know, Twitts, or whatever it is."
I laughed.
"Twitter?"
"Yeah, that. One of the hotels in our area recently got on Tweeter and their business has tripled. We’re doing OK, but more business couldn’t hurt."
I thought about this. Saying yes would practically guarantee a life here in Wales, at least for a few weeks while I got George and Helen set up with the computer and Twitter.
"I’ll think about it. It’s a very tempting offer."
"OK. Great." He stood up. "Well, just let me know." He gave me a genuine hug and held his hand out to shake mine. "I hope you consider it. We’d love to have you." I nodded. He walked away.
The Braine family hadn’t looked up the entire time George and I had been talking. I admired that. Even though they weren’t technically spending time together, they kind of were, in a way, because they were with each other doing something they all loved. I really should read more.
Even though I’d be a few minutes early, I decided to head into the dining room. I was starving, and I was excited for another home-cooked Welsh meal. When I walked past the check in desk, Helen waved at me.
"Why, don’t you look nice!"
"Thank you! I needed to fix myself up a bit because I was covered in sea water and sand."
"Yes, Alec told me what happened. Unfortunately, it happens pretty often. The horses get spooked by birds because the birds tend to pester them."
"Yeah, it’s OK though. I’m fine. I was actually wondering… is there a mall or a shopping center around here? I need to buy some more clothes soon, especially a heavier jacket and some boots."
"We don’t have a mall nearby, but you could always drive into Swansea and go shopping there. They have a lot of boutiques and fun little clothing stores."
"That sounds perfect. How do I get there?"
"I can arrange to have Tommy pick you up, if that works for you."
"Perfect. I’ll figure it out tomorrow. Thanks so much." I began to walk away, but Helen called out to me.
"Did George talk to you about staying a while longer to help us with the computer? We can’t offer much in terms of compensation, I mean, it’s decent, but you would have free rent and meals." She looked so hopeful.
"He did mention something about that. I told him I’d think about it."
She grinned.
"Lovely. Well, just let me know."
I nodded and walked into the dining room, which was empty except for Lucy and Ted. Lucy was sitting on Ted’s lap, and they were making out. Gross. I slowly backed out, not wanting to disturb them even though they were in a public space. I stumbled over something and warm hands caught me as I stifled a yell.
"Easy, there." It was Alec.
He had on a blue sweater and jeans. I noticed he’d shaved and combed his hair. It was astonishing what some grooming did to him. He probably thought the same thing about me as well, considering what I had looked like before I showered. I shuddered to think that he’d carried my wet, salty body around all morning, looking the way that I had. Under the groomed beard, his face was a warm honey color, and I could actually see a face looking back at me instead of just a beard and unruly dark hair. He had a chiseled jaw, thick eyebrows that perfectly framed his face, perfect lush lips, straight white teeth, and nice, chocolate brown eyes. Combing his hair back made him seem a little dangerous and yet polished.
"Thanks." I brushed myself off and smiled at him. "I didn’t want to disturb them," I whispered, pointing to Lucy and Ted, who were still going at it.
"Yeah, it’s a little sickening," he confirmed. We both covered our mouths as we laughed. His smile was small and slightly lopsided, but also kind of adorable.
"Look at that, an actual smile." I blurted it out before I could think, but he didn’t seem to mind. He kept smiling.
"It takes me a while to warm up to people I guess."
"I can respect that."
We both stood there, in the entryway to the dining room, smiling at each other. I had my arms crossed over my chest, probably because of some subconscious effort to shield myself from Alec. He had one hand in his pocket, and the other arm on the wall behind me, blocking me in. He was very close to me now. I could smell his cologne, or aftershave, or whatever it was. I was beginning to associate that smell with him – it smelled like pure essence of man, if that made sense.
He leaned down close to me, whispering in my ear.
"As a gentleman, I ought to let you know that your shirt was see-through today."
"What?" I felt my cheeks flush. I had shivers all over my body, either from knowing what he'd seen, or his warm breath in my ear.
"I could see your…"
"Yeah. Got it." I crossed my arms in front of my chest instinctively. I didn’t know what else to say. He’d basically admitted to seeing my nipples through my shirt. And I wasn’t sure how it made me feel. My body was deceiving me. I could feel my heart start to speed up.
He pulled away, grinning at me. My heart stopped. His grin was adorable and sexy. That was a grin that could get me into a lot of trouble.
"It could be worse."
"Oh yeah? How’s that?" I was looking at him with daggers in my eyes.
"You’re easy to look at," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Umm…" I said, rather eloquently. "I don’t think that’s very gentleman-ly of you to say," I muttered. What was wrong with me?
"You asked me how it could be worse. I’m just saying, I don’t think anyone wouldn’t enjoy it."
"Did you enjoy it?" I looked at him defiantly.
"I can’t tell you that. It wouldn’t be very gentleman-ly of me," he whispered, coming in closer. So close, that I could smell the soap he’d used to shower. And I liked it. My breath caught in my throat. He turned serious, looking at me hypnotically. "But if you must know
the honest truth, then yes."
"You’re an ass," I said, pulling away.
"Hey, you asked me," he said, laughing as he walked away.
His soapy smell lingered in the air for a moment longer, and when I started to walk to the living room, I realized my legs were buckling beneath me. Alec was confusing; he was hot and cold. I disliked him when he was being a jerk, but I had to admit, that man had some mad sex appeal, and he knew how to use it.
Dinner would be starting any minute, but Lucy and Ted were still canoodling in one chair. I really did not want to be around happy, in love people right now. Maybe that was why I felt drawn to Alec. He was dark and mysterious. He was the opposite of my type. That was probably a good thing. I didn’t come to Wales to have a fling with some hot Irishman. I came to Wales to find myself. But at the same time… I was inexplicably drawn to Alec. He seemed like he was going through something heavy as well. I had no idea what his deal was. His brooding demeanor was appealing to me in my current situation. I felt like maybe we could drink beer and commiserate together. I laughed at that. I knew I was lying to myself. Images of Alec pressed up against me filled my head instead, and I pushed those thoughts away immediately. I wasn’t here for that. I had to get a grip.
I walked back into the common room and saw Mr. Braine (I didn’t actually know any of their first names) on a laptop. Hallelujah! I slowly walked over, trying to gauge if he might let me borrow it for a minute, to check my bank account. That was something I definitely needed to check. I had no idea what number would greet me after a week of living here. I actually didn’t even know how much my room cost. I had been so out of it last week when I arrived, I’d completely forgotten. I approached Mr. Braine and smiled, hoping I could charm him into letting me use the computer for a minute.
"Excuse me, Mr. Braine?" He looked up, slightly annoyed. I realized that he slightly resembled Mr. Bean. "Do you have Wi-Fi here? I would love it if I could just check my bank account balance, if it’s not too much trouble."
The Foretelling (Charlotte Bloom #1) Page 11
